All Star Analysts Portfolio highlights: Baker Hughes, IDEX Corporation, Marriott Int'l and PPD.

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com just released its latest additions and deletions to its proprietary All Star Analyst portfolio. Members on this exclusive list include Baker Hughes Inc. (NYSE: BHI), IDEX Corporation (NYSE: IEX), Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) and PPD, Inc. (NASDAQ: PPDI). View the entire list of stocks on the All Star Analyst portfolio at http://at.zacks.com/?id=510

This exclusive portfolio represents all stocks with a Strong Buy rating from at least four analysts with a 5-Star All Star ranking. These are the brokerage analysts whose stock recommendations proved to be the most profitable for investors. Since July 2002, this portfolio has generated an annualized return of 7.53%. Here is a synopsis of why these stocks are in the All Star Analysts Portfolio:

Baker Hughes Inc. (NYSE: BHI) recently reported solid first-quarter numbers following a couple lackluster periods. Earnings per share from continuing operations was $1.17, which topped the consensus by almost 6.4%. In the year-ago quarter, Baker Hughes announced earnings per share of 93 cents. Revenue advanced 20% to $2.47 billion, compared to $2.06 billion a year earlier. Baker Hughes believes it is well positioned to benefit from increasing drilling and completion activity around the world as the global oil market remains strong. Earnings estimates for this year are up 2.5% in the past seven days. BHI remains one of the All Stars' favorite names in its industry.

IDEX Corporation (NYSE: IEX) announced earnings per share from continuing operations of 68 cents for its first quarter, which improved on a year-over-year basis. Sales jumped 25% to $333.3 million while organic sales grew 10%. Also, orders improved 23% to $362.8 million. One of the highlights in the quarter came from its Fluid & Metering Technologies segment, where sales grew 34%. Looking forward, IDEX Corporation, which will make a 3-for-2 stock split later this month, believes it is well positioned in attractive product segments supported by strong underlying industry fundamentals. Analysts seem to agree and have added the applied solutions company to the All Star Analyst Portfolio.

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) reported first-quarter earnings per share from continuing operations of 40 cents, improving approximately 5% from 38 cents a year earlier. The result also topped the consensus by approximately 5.3%. Revenues reached $2.9 billion, up 7% from last year. However, the company pulled back on its North American RevPAR growth for 2007. Nevertheless, Marriott has become the latest hotels company added to the All Star Analyst Portfolio.

PPD, Inc. (NASDAQ: PPDI) remains a fixture on the All Star Analyst Portfolio. The company recently announced first quarter net revenue of $332.3 million, improving year over year by 11% from $299.4 million. Earnings per share of 35 cents matched the consensus. The company said it plans to remain focused on core business execution this year, and is optimistic about the prospects of its compound partnering efforts generating value for its partners and shareholders.

Discover all the current All Star Analyst rankings and top analyst recommendations at http://at.zacks.com/?id=511

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To learn which brokerage analysts are the best in their field and what stocks they're recommending today, see the Zacks All Star Analyst survey. This exclusive survey, created with Fortune Magazine, reveals the "Best-of-Breed" brokerage analysts. They are the select group of winners from the universe of brokerage analysts - the ones who consistently beat the street - the few you should be following now. Visit the Zacks All Star Survey to find the best analysts and their top stock recommendations at http://at.zacks.com/?id=512

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